The hivemind is conquering for me?

The group didn’t take long to get ready, thanks to Hecate portaling them around, something strange did occur though. As Janine was gathering some of her stuff for the night, there was a knock on the front door of her house.

Rushing downstairs she opened it and her eyes widened as a gaggle of Sepiidae were at her door, led by Myu.

”Hey girl, I heard there was a party off moon? Can we come? You are using Lady Hecate’s portals so we will be back by the end of the night, right?”

Janine’s mouth went agape. ”H-how did-”

But she was cut off by Orchid of all people, who arrived at the door. Her seven feet of height and her scary eyes made some of the Sepiida back up, but not Myu, who just looked up like she saw her best friend.

”Orchid! Is it party time?!? I can’t wait to see Apollo’s club. It’s going to be so exciting!”

Orchid just rolled her eyes. ”Yes, fine. Apollo would be pleased to know you are attending a party in his honour. Hecate has her wormhole open in the living room, going through will take you to her office.”

Hearing that Myu, followed by the other Sepiidae barged through the door and towards the wormhole, at which point they all immediately froze.

Psionics are scary.

Myu then took a deep breath as the leader and walked through, after a moment the others began to panic at not seeing anything happen after Myu disappeared, that was until her head popped back out with a smile.

”Come on girls! Lady Hecate said it was fine!”

After the gaggle made its way through the wormhole, Janine stood there, flummoxed for a moment. ”Y-You invited them? You. The grouch monster?”

Orchid shrugged her shoulders. ”Myu is useful to Apollo. He would also approve of her coming. It is fine. Now hurry, Orchid needs to see Sophia about something of utmost importance.”

...

Not long later, everyone was ready and in an instant, a small group of humans and Sepiidae travelled from one moon to another planet in an instant. There was a little gathering at the Hyllus tower for a moment as the Sepiidae found the alcohol. It wasn’t long after that before Valerica called two aircabs for the group.

As the aircabs landed outside of Sophia’s Hecate looked around and nodded her head. ”Hmm, doesn’t look as much of a shithole as I expected... You hear things about the south and your thoughts tend to exaggerate.”

She then proceeded to watch as Orchid walked ahead towards the club. There were signs saying ’closed for private events’ and a lot of guards everywhere. The people inside are clearly wise enough to attempt to protect themselves.

Orchid then got stopped by a guard, at which point, she grabbed him and literally threw them aside as the other one fell to his knees in deep apology.

”She really is a piece of work.” Valerica admitted. ”Nothing like my son. Hehe~ Come on. The inside puts a lot of high class places to shame.”

Circe looked towards Janine and approached from the side as the group made their way to the front of the club. ”So, Apollo owns this place?”

Janine turned to the Circe. She had seen the white haired woman a few times. One of the platonic ones around Apollo, thankfully, as she was very pretty. They hadn’t had a chance to speak much though.

”Yes and no. The place is owned by Sophia. She is technically a gang leader, but she doesn’t act like it. I’m still not sure on all the details, but the family that originally adopted him is hers and they were engaged once upon a time.

Just a word of warning for the night you won’t get from anyone else. Don’t speak to any of the staff about Apollo or ask about his past. They will get weird with you. Trust me, I’ve worked with them long enough... Try to stick to guests only and you will have a wonderful night.”

Circe then looked towards the group of Sepiidae that were rushing to the front of the club before looking at the calmer, more level headed Janine. ”Hey, any chance I can hang out with you tonight? I don’t know anyone else here apart from my teacher.”

Hearing that, Janine smiled and nodded her head. ”Sure, I won’t say no to the company of a beautiful girl. Though I will also be hanging out with another Sepiida while I am here, one not a part of that group, I can tell from the look on your face, they are a bit rambunctious for you. I feel the same, don’t worry. Well, while I am sober anyway.”

”Where have all these Sepiidans come from? Clear off, private event!”

The guard who got thrown said after recovering. However, he was ignored after the other guard spotted a specific individual approach and felt his under-link instructions.

”Lady Hyllus. We received word you wouldn’t be attending, a welcome surprise to see you here. Are these Sepiidae with you?”

Valerica nodded her head. ”Yes, sorry for the last minute adjustment. I will take any responsibility if they get out of line. I just know Apollo wouldn’t have turned them down after they found out the party was going on.”

The guard nodded his head and stepped aside. ”Everyone have a good night and enjoy yourselves.” The guard said as the Sepiidans began to pour inside. His mouth began to salivate as they did.

As Apollo’s guests, they wouldn’t be touched tonight, but having personally tasted Sepiidan before, he couldn’t help his appetite. That was before another suddenly approached.

”Oh, Janine. You are back also! Welcome. Your room is still yours if you wish for some privacy.”

Janine looked at the guard, not recalling if she had worked with him before. This happened a lot so she just flashed a smile. ”Great, thanks a bunch. Circe, I am going to go get changed, do you want to come with me?”

Circe simply smiled before being dragged along by Janine.

...

Valerica entered the club room and smiled. She made it. Of course she would. Nothing would stop her from attending an event meant for her son... The sudden attention of a dozen or so Sepiida to the event was noticed by most, but as they began to dance, the sight was a welcome event.

They would be busy for a while, so she turned to Hecate who was frowning while looking around. ”Problem?”

Hecate’s frown instantly disappeared and turned to confusion. ”No, not a problem... Just, the Psionics in here feels... Bizarre. I’ve never felt anything like it before. But it’s probably some defences and I am a guest, it will be rude for me to snoop around. Should we get some drinks? Or are we expected to do anything?”

Valerica laughed hearing that. ”HA! You still want more to drink? Where is the lightweight I know and love?”

”What? I can drink normal alcohol fine! It’s that Psionic swill that knocks me out, You know this.” Hecate defended herself, but that just made Valerica smirk.

”Wanna bet on who can drink the most without passing out? You can use any cheats you can think of to tip the scales in your favour, but just as long as you are consuming the Psionic stuff. As I am pretty sure there are a few kegs still here.”

Hecate frowned. She had a bad feeling about what the bet would end up being, but she had already had four shots of vodka back at the Hyllus building and was very drunk... Secretly. And that was swaying her rationality.

”Fine! But when I beat you, don’t come crying to me.”

...

*Ding*

The elevator opened and Orchid stepped out into the penthouse. A small smirk appeared on her mouth being back here. It had become a place of pleasant memories for her. A mini nest-world one could say.

As she entered, she heard a tv on in the living room. Walking in she saw the sight of Lele on the lap of an alien looking bio form, that smelled of an early stage cultist, playing with the dangling dreadlocks as she watched some animated show.

Her presence forced the duo on the couch to stop and look directly at her. A mix of emotions evident on their faces before elation overcame Lele as she shouted.

”Orchid!”

Orchid just stood there as the spawn ran over and hugged her leg. She felt nothing for the infant, but Apollo liked it, so that helped with not shaking it away.

”Hello.” She spoke simply, prompting Lele to start speaking more.

”I’ve missed you! And Apollo, we do everything for him after all! Is he here?” She asked, looking behind Orchid expectantly.

Orchid raised an eyebrow hearing what Lele just said. That was cult talk, yet she could smell no bio-cultist pheromones from the spawn.

”No, Apollo is still at war, but it is his founding day, so Orchid is here to attend a party that was thrown in his honour... Though Orchid came up here for two things, return to the Xeti and let me attend to them, then you can bother Orchid for a few minutes before she goes looking for Sophia.”